Chapter 92: The Road to Yan'an

The snow had just stopped, the sun shone on the training field, blindingly bright. Li Ping'an was leading the Flying Eagle Team in drills when he saw Zhou Zhengwei running over, holding a telegram, his face full of joy.

Ping'an! Good news! Great news! Zhou Zhengwei was so excited his voice changed—Yan'an just called!

Li Ping'an took the telegram, examined it closely, his hand trembling slightly. The telegram not only highly praised the Flying Eagle Team's special contribution, but also specially commended his personal merit, promoting him to company commander. What excited him even more was that Yan'an invited him to teach special operations experience.

Is... this real? Li Ping'an could hardly believe his eyes.

Absolutely sure! Zhou Zhengwei patted his shoulder—Chairman Mao and the central leaders all know you now! Hurry up and head to Yan'an!

The training field instantly erupted. The team members gathered around, all beaming with joy.

The instructor is going to be company commander! And he'll go to Yan'an to meet Chairman Mao! Wonderful! This is the honor of our Flying Eagle Team!

Er Gazi pushed to the front, eyes pleading: Instructor, will you come back after you go?

Li Ping'an laughed and punched him: Silly kid, of course I'll come back! The Flying Eagle Team is our root—how could I not return?

That evening, the camp held a simple farewell gathering. Zhou Zhengwei specially had the mess hall team add two dishes; although it was just ordinary braised cabbage with potatoes, the atmosphere was especially lively.

Ping'an, Zhou Zhengwei said earnestly, this trip to Yan'an is not only your personal honor, but also the glory of our entire anti-Japanese alliance. You must properly summarize your special operations experience so the whole army can learn from it.

Don't worry, Commissar. Li Ping'an nodded solemnly, I will surely not let you down.

The next morning at dawn, Li Ping'an set off for Yan'an with two team members. Considering the long road and the need to pass through enemy-occupied territory, they dressed as ordinary civilians, traveling light.

Instructor, why aren't we taking the main road? a team member asked, looking at the winding mountain path, puzzled.

The main road has many enemy checkpoints—it's unsafe. Li Ping'an explained, we take the mountain road; although it's harder, it's safer and lets us scout enemy conditions along the way.

Sure enough, after only half a day's march, they spotted an enemy supply convoy.

Instructor, should we attack? the team member was eager to try.

Li Ping'an observed: Attack! But not head-on. See that bend ahead? We'll set an ambush there.

The three quickly moved in, using the terrain to set up a simple ambush. As the convoy entered the kill zone, Li Ping'an gave the order, and he threw a grenade that struck the vehicles precisely.

Boom— the lead vehicle was blown up, and the following vehicles instantly fell into chaos.

Li Ping'an opened fire first, his bullets hitting the enemy precisely.

The fight ended quickly; the three swiftly cleared the battlefield, seizing a batch of weapons and food.

Now the comrades in the base can improve their lives again," a team member said happily.

Li Ping'an, however, frowned: we can't carry these things away; we need to hide them so the comrades can retrieve them later.

They carefully hid the supplies in a cave, marked the spot, then continued on their way.

The farther south they went, the denser the enemy strongholds became. Several times they nearly ran into enemy patrols, but Li Ping'an's keen intuition and rich experience turned danger into safety.

Instructor, you're amazing!" the team member exclaimed sincerely, as if you could foresee the future.

Li Ping'an smiled: It's not foresight, it's observation and judgment. Look, when a flock of birds suddenly takes flight, it means someone is coming; when dogs bark nonstop, strangers may be approaching. These are all clues.

Along the way, they not only fought the Japanese but also helped many civilians. Once, passing through a village that had been looted by the enemy, they saw villagers rummaging through the rubble for anything usable.

Damn it! Seeing this miserable state, a team member couldn't help but curse.

Li Ping'an fell silent for a moment, took some food from his pack and gave it to the villagers: Folks, take this for now. One day we'll drive all the Japanese out!

The villagers were grateful to tears; an old man grabbed Li Ping'an's hand and said, Eighth Route comrades, you must avenge us!

Seeing such scenes all along the road strengthened Li Ping'an's resolve to resist Japan.

The most dangerous moment came while crossing the Yellow River. They had planned to sneak across at night, but were spotted by enemy patrol boats.

Get underwater! Li Ping'an made a snap decision, using reed stalks to breathe!

The three hurriedly plunged into the icy river, breathing through the reed stalks, evading the patrol boats' search. After the enemy moved off, they clambered ashore, shaking from the cold.

In... instructor, we almost bought it here," a team member said, teeth chattering.

Li Ping'an, however, laughed: Having survived a great disaster, future blessings await. It looks like the trip to Yan'an will surely go smoothly.

Sure enough, the road afterward went much more smoothly. They met up with guerrilla comrades, and with their help, they were about to enter the border region.

The closer they got to Yan'an, the more excited Li Ping'an became. Thinking about soon seeing Chairman Mao and other central leaders, his palms began to sweat.

Instructor, what kind of person is Chairman Mao?" a team member asked curiously.

Chairman Mao is a great man, our great savior. Li Ping'an looked reverent; once you see him, you'll know.

Finally, on a fine morning, they saw the outline of Yan'an's Baota Mountain.

We've arrived! We've arrived!" the team members shouted, jumping up with excitement.

Li Ping'an stood on the hillside, gazing at distant Yan'an, his heart filled with mixed feelings. Along the way they had fought over ten battles, big and small, killed more than thirty Japanese, seized considerable supplies, and, most importantly, helped many civilians.

Look! Someone's coming to meet us!" a team member shouted, pointing into the distance.

Sure enough, a detachment of Eighth Route soldiers was walking toward them. The leader, a cadre-type figure, waved from afar: Is Comrade Li Ping'an? The central command specially sent us to pick you up!

Li Ping'an stepped forward quickly, firmly shaking the other's hand: I am Li Ping'an. Thank you, leaders, for your concern!

When Chairman Mao heard you were coming, he was delighted!" the cadre said with a smile, "He specially instructed us to give you a warm welcome!

Hearing those words, Li Ping'an's eyes welled up. He recalled the hardships of the journey, the fallen comrades, the base's compatriots—all the sacrifices were worth it.

Entering Yan'an city, everywhere bustling crowds and high morale could be seen. Soldiers were training, civilians working hard to produce—a scene of prosperity.

This is Yan'an!" a team member exclaimed, "It's nothing like our base!

The cadre said proudly: Yes, this is the holy land of revolution, the wellspring of hope.

That evening, Li Ping'an was lodged in the central guesthouse. Though the conditions were modest, it was kept clean and tidy.

Lying on the kang, Li Ping'an couldn't sleep for a long time. He recalled the experiences of the journey and the upcoming meeting, feeling especially excited.

The next day, he would go see Chairman Mao. He needed to report his special operations experience thoroughly, bring the comrades' greetings, and express his resolve to resist Japan...

Thinking thus, he gradually fell asleep. In his dream, he saw the day of victory in the War of Resistance, the glorious founding of the New China, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation...

Outside the window, Yan'an's starry sky shone especially bright, as if foretelling a bright future.